When neuroglial tissue wanders: a unique case report of subpleural heterotopia in a triploid foetus and review of the literature

Heterotopic occurrence of neuroglial tissue is an exceedingly rare phenomenon with unclear pathogenesis, often presenting as lesions outside the central nervous system (CNS). We report a unique case of heterotopic neuroglial tissue identified in the thoracic cavity of a fetus aborted at 14 weeks due to a suspected Dandy-Walker malformation. The fetus exhibited neuroglial tissue growth subpleurally, alongside a suspected Dandy-Walker malformation and ventricular septal defect. While theories such as vascular embolisation, aspiration, and aberrant migration attempt to explain such occurrences, the exact etiology remains elusive. Our case suggests a potential association between triploidy and neuroglial heterotopia, supporting the aberrant migration and differentiation theory.